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English Only Vs English Plus

English Only Vs English PlusThere is an increase of those children in state schools who do not come from English speaking back ground. One in seven children at primary school in England and one in ten at secondary school speak a language other than English at home. A research team from Goldsmiths concludes that using two or more languages deepens an understanding of mathematical concepts and results in a better overall performance in school. Bilingual children are able to access key concepts through both languages, giving them an advantage over monolinguals. Children who speak at least two languages actually strengthen their identities as learners and boost their cognitive development. Researchers say this finding is of particular importance for second and third generation immigrant children. It is important to “embed” mother tongues into daily activities through games, songs and incidental use, such as answering the register and giving praise and simple instructions, familiar stories can be told or acted out in their languages. In the 60s and 70s, the British education system has destroyed the home languages and the new research proved that the policy was wrong and the British education system is guilty of crime against humanity. It is very important that immigrant parents keep talking to their children in their home tongues as this will give children a valuable tool to access lessons, deepen understanding of key ideas, and enhance overall school performance. Children who led bilingual lives could access their lessons through both languages. The children in the project expressed a strong desire to use their community languages in school. Teachers were able to tap into their pupils’ full range of cultural knowledge.Children who attended mother tongues classes did better in their National Curriculum tests. Research suggests that bilingual pupils do better than those with just one language. The researcher warns that many second and third generation children are in danger of losing their bilingual skills if they do not have the chance to develop their mother tongue through their school work. Multilingual children may be allowed to use their mother tongue in mainstream classes. Rather than thinking in terms of an “English only” culture we should be promoting “English plus”.Among all the migrant children, Muslim children suffer more than others. Bilingual Muslim children need state funded Muslim schools with bilingual Muslim teachers as role models. They need to be well versed in Standard English to follow the National Curriculum and go for higher studies and research to serve humanity. They need to be well versed in Arabic, Urdu and other community languages to keep in touch with their cultural roots and enjoy the beauty of their literature and poetry. Iftikhar Ahmadwww.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk

Iftikhar Ahmad ● 6856d8 Comments

IffyWhy do you continue to post the same old same old?It seems you are UNABLE to take part in debate, and can only repeat statements you have made before. Is this how you propose young people should be educated? to repeat what they have been told like a Mantra? Are you afraid that if you enter into debate you will find yourself unable to defend your opinions,that maybe you will be proven to be wrong? I'snt this how Muslim teachings work? Don't enter into debate, just keep repeating the same mantra's.As far as state funded schools goYou are in England, we speak English here, but we also teach French and German,our education system is already fully stretched by immigrant children who cannot speak english and who's parents did not care enough to make sure they could speak the language before they brought them here.As for british born children from immigrant families, maybe their parents should have thought about the affect their move to this country would have on their family dynamics before they came here! You carp on about children having links to their roots, their culture, what about the British culture that is slowly being Erroded, the traditions that are being forbidden,like christmas lights in towns having to be called festive lights, christian morning assemblys in our schools, even some schools no longer serving traditional christmas dinner, all this to avoid insulting ethnic minorities.and you have the nerve to complain that your needs are not being met?You speak of Muslims being discriminated against when looking for employment, how many non Muslims do you employ?Ever heard the saying......When in Rome.. ?

Carol Ann Jupp ● 6727d